Recent Pots

Dropping the Ball More Ways than One: Core Competencies to Work On

Rugby is a game that requires some core skills and competencies in order to effectively be done. Join us as we discuss what these core skills and competencies are. Rugby has survived this long due to the fact that it constantly evolves and improves itself.

What are “core skills”?

These refer to the techniques and actions that deemed completely vital to the sport. It may not seem like much but it is important to the overall application of the game. These go beyond the physical attributes that seem to dominate the priority of many athletes.

Core skills are things that you learn through hands-on experience and consistent practice. Here are some of them:

Ball handling

This is arguably the most basic thing about rugby. Players need to suitably be able to pick up the ball and hold it appropriately without dropping it. For rugby players, being able to securely handle the ball is if of paramount importance.

Player needs to make certain that they know of the different techniques on how to secure the ball in their grasp and in their arms. Confidence is actually a pretty big factor when it comes to handling the ball efficiently. If you do not have faith that you are handling the ball as you actually should, you can fully expect it to leave your grasp in the next 10 seconds.

Being able to look confident—effectively conveying that through body language—is a great way to seem like you are a super tough player and the opposition really should not get in your way when you are running toward their goal. Being confident will also help the success rate of your passes.

Ball Control

Yes, this is quite separate from ball handling. Handling refers to how you hold it. Ball control is all about keeping the ball in your area of effect. The team that manages to control the ball more than others is more likely to score goals and keep opponents away.

Being able to control the ball also brings quite a big boost to the player’s confidence and capability. Ball control refers to all the different movements that will keep the ball in your sphere of influence. Players need to be able to run with that ball in hand, pass it to their teammates, and even receive it back once they have lost enemy heat. It is one of the fastest ways to get your team more points.

Ball control can also refer to being able to spot the potential moves of the enemy team. Spot the signs for possible moves or strategies. When you fight against a team that you have fought before, it is critical that you have studied up on the techniques and strategies they use in order to spot the “tells” right away.

Leadership

Yes, this is actually a core competency. Every rugby player in a team must be a leader in their own right. There is no room for timidity or blind followers. Every player must be able to develop decisions without waiting on anyone else.

Leaders make tough decisions at times. That is important that they be able to persevere. Perseverance can be improved through constant practice. Developing pass or fail safety measures for decisions can help streamline the process.

In order for a team to be successful, the role of the leader must be able to shift depending on the situation that they face in the field. If you have a team that is comprised of one leader and followers, you can come to expect some misplays simply because they were waiting for their leader to signal them.

Balance in movement and non-movement

Coordination plays a big part in rugby. Coordination is reliant on balance. While we would love to say that balance is innate—it is something that may need some extra work for others. It is a core competency that must be improved.

If a player has poor balance, you can wholly expect them to fumble a lot of the time. When the clock is ticking, a fumble can make all the difference between a goal for your team and a goal for your enemy team.

Balance truly comes out to shine when two teams are seemingly toe to toe. The teams with more well-balanced players are able to make better plays which result in more goals and trys. It would be important to refer to your coach for balance exercises. There are far too many players out there that just believe that if they can handle the ball well then they are completely good.

This is simply not the case. Balance in non-movement is important for those who guard the goal. There are times that you may need to stand your ground in order to stop the runner from reaching your goal. If you do not have suitable non-movement balance, you can fully expect to get knocked off your feet and have a point taken from you from your trouble.

In Conclusion

This is why it is necessary to ask for help when you need it. If you play the game, it is important for you to realize early on that this is a game that you cannot win by yourself. It takes a whole team in order to obtain a victory and it takes a whole community to help players form their teams.

If you think that there are some core skills and competencies that are missing from this list let us know. We would like to keep this discussion as comprehensive as possible. Rugby players all over the world must be willing to help each other out. We may be in different parts of the world and we may even be supporting different teams but we are all lovers of the same sport. In essence, we all need each other to survive.

With this in mind, it would be important to look back upon the core competencies listed above. What core competency do you need really to work upon?

A Chance to Change a Life: Volunteering for Rugby

Volunteering is a great way to change the lives of those around you. There are so many ways that volunteering can affect positive change in a community. Today, we will be discussing volunteering for Rugby.

Rugby is a team sport. As such, it usually takes a whole community to help a team reach its goal. However, there are instances wherein certain communities cannot lend a hand to their local rugby team even if they wanted to. This is where volunteers come in to save the day!

There is nothing quite as strong as the heart of a volunteer. They invariably changing lives for the better whenever they get involved in a cause.

Why Volunteer for Rugby?

Rugby is a sport that requires quite a bit of support. Equipment, talent, time, and so many other things are needed in order to be able to be part of the world of Rugby. This is an unfortunate but it is a real fact of life.

While there are plenty of teams that are fortunate enough to have everything that they need (which include support), there are more teams and communities out there that do not have the means to support their rugby teams.

If you love rugby, you will understand the need to play it and the crushing feeling when you find that you cannot. In order for rugby to survive as a sport, it needs new players. We get new players through the local communities and their athletes that strive to join the eventual professional league or union. If these players are not given the opportunity to play, how is the sport to continue?

What You Can Do

There are so many ways in which you can volunteer and directly affect someone’s potential career in the sport that you both love. Here are some ways:

Coaching

This is particularly helpful if you have had personal experience in playing the game. There are a lot of youth leagues that require a coach or an assistant coach. Fresh pairs of eyes and fresh minds are always needed to figure out new strategies and new ways to revitalize a team’s play style.

There are even teams that may not even know the rudimentary ways of playing the game. A coach can help to sharpen young players into reaching their potential in the most efficient and healthy way possible.

Grounds Keeping

Rugby fields can get tossed up from one game to another. Even during practices the field can get a bit messy. In order for practices to be effective, there needs to be a clear representation of the lines and borders of the field.

Grounds keeping help to maintain the field where the team plays. If you have ever seen the movie Forrest Gump, this is what he does for his alma mater. He cuts the grass in the same football field that he used to play in as part of his school’s team.

Such tasks are also available for those who volunteer for local rugby teams.

Coordinator

Coordinators usually were volunteers themselves once upon a time. They serve as the liaison between the rugby club or organization and the volunteers. The coordinator will keep track of the people assigned to specific tasks and follow up with how well the fit is.

They will decide if there needs to be a change in the schedule or a rearrangement of who is assigned where. These are the volunteers that have stood the test of time and are counted upon to help keep the organization running.

Marketing

Rugby teams need support from their community. In order for that community to know that they exist, they need to be told about it. Not everyone has family members that are part of the local rugby team. If they do know about the team, they may need a bit of a boost as to why they should help to support it.

If you ever found the call to volunteer through an ad or through a website, the marketing team was responsible for that. If you are someone who is a talented writer or is tech savvy, there are so many rugby teams out there that can use your help. Awareness campaigns are often in the jurisdiction of the marketing team.

When you get to see calls for fund drives and special events, that is under the jurisdiction of the marketing team as well.

Funding

This is the simplest but ultimately strongest way you can show your support for a local rugby team. Sports teams need funding in order to buy the things that they need like uniforms, balls, field rentals, and even travel expenses.

Every single penny counts and no matter what anyone else may tell you, funding the local club or organization is one way to volunteer! After all, not everyone may have the free time to physically dedicate several hours in a week to help out. No one should judge anyone else on what form they are able to throw in their support.

In Conclusion

The whole world could really benefit from more people volunteering to help others. There are countless of people who do not have the same opportunities that you may personally get to experience. When you volunteer your time or your talents for something that you personally enjoy, there is a deeper appreciation of the sport that you get to experience firsthand.

When you find the time, it would be good if you checked your area for any local rugby clubs that you can help with. Try to see what you can do to help you. You never know when your time and your efforts can end up transforming another person’s life entirely.

There is no real need for soul searching when it comes to volunteering. Even something as simple as a few hours of your day can end up helping others in ways that you may not even truly comprehend! So search your heart and see if you would like to volunteer for your local or non-local rugby team.

Needing Research about the Sport: the Best Films about Rugby

Everyone loves going to the movies! It is a great way to broaden horizons while never leaving the comfort of your home. Today, we will be listing out our choices for the best films that effectively showcase the sport of Rugby.

Why is Film Representation Important?

Rugby, as a sport, is not as internationally popular as basketball or baseball. While some teams may have followers and have the capacity to go viral because their cultural traditions (we are of course referring to the All Blacks), in general there is still a very little number of people who are actively interested in the sport.

For any sport, representation in media is quite important. Films often provide a deeper look into the world of a sport and the people that are involved. A lot of new athletes are often inspired by a film or a live performance of professional athletes whether they are fictional or real representations. If a sport wants to continue with its existence, new blood and new enthusiasts are needed.

As media is one of the easiest forms of representation around, there is a higher chance of invoking the interest of youngsters with the sport if presented in film.

If you make a Google search for any film for baseball, football, or basketball, you will find a LOT of films in both the silver screen and for television. There are even examples of representation in Disney cartoons like Goofy’s “How To” series.

Rugby, unfortunately has not reached that level of devotion and interest. That is something that continues to pain us greatly. It is a good thing then that things have changed.

Rugby Films

Inviticus (2009)

Trust Clint Eastwood to make use of his genius to truly show how physical the sport of Rugby truly is. This film also does a wonderful job of showing how hard it was for people who were not white to be part of the sport in South Africa back when Apartheid was in power.

The film is set in early 80’s and culminates in the late 90’s. This was the time in the history of South Africa where peace was unsteady as they had recently overturned the power that Apartheid had over their country.

This is the tale of the national team of South Africa and their good performance in the 1995 Rugby World Cup and how this success helped to galvanize their people together and find their sense of national pride and identity.

From a personal standpoint for some of us, this film did a really fine job in showcasing the physically challenging the sport is. You really get a sense of the struggle of achieving physical strength and the risks that players face when they go out into the field. It is a lovely story of the underdog—something that is rather effective in inspiring future athletes to join the sport.

Murderball (2005)

This documentary gives a much needed deeper look into the world of the Paralympics. This film focuses on the different members of the US rugby wheelchair team and their attempt to be part of the 2004 Paralympics.

The world of rugby is tough enough; imagine what it would be like when you cannot use your legs for the sport at all! Audiences get to see the grit and the determination that it takes to be part of a sport no matter what your situation is.

From a personal standpoint for some of us, this documentary struck a chord within us. It helped to highlight the fact that there are those that do want to be part of the sport and do not let physical disabilities hinder them in the least. It is a good driving force for many of use that stood meekly in the sidelines and not made the most of the opportunities that we were given.

If there was ever a film that helped to showcase the mental fortitude of rugby athletes, it would be this film. We highly recommend that you view it.

The Sporting Life (1963)

Set in the 60’s, this film manages to showcase a deep sense of realism of the gritty day to day of an athlete that uses rugby as an outlet for their feelings of agitation and anger. What is good about this film is that it taps into the pool of existing rugby players.

While there are some issues with critics on how the story drags on in some places, it is important to keep in mind that life is like that. Not every moment fluidly transitions into the next perfect scene. The plot is not wholly mapped out.

From a personal standpoint, many of us really like this movie. It helps to show how life can be at times and how the sport can play a vital role in finding what we want to do as individuals. The game scenes are shot quite realistically that you cannot help but wince along with the pain of the characters in the movie. It certainly serves as pretty good representation for rugby lovers everywhere.

Forever Strong (2008)

The story follows a rugby union player that has to face the reality of having to face his old team and even his father. It smoothly shows the troubled thoughts of an athlete that had to suffer loss. The presentation of the family dynamic and the issue with his father is also something that most audiences will be able to relate to.

It is one thing to know what you want to do in life and entirely another thing when it is forced upon you by others. This movie taught us that a critically panned movie can be universally loved by audiences. This film is a compilation of different real life tales that is unified into a cohesive story.

In Conclusion

Films still continue to be the best way to research new horizons and subjects. Everyone in our writing team has their own favorite rugby film (as showcased in the paragraphs above). We certainly hope that we have all helped you form a watching list!

What movies have you seen from the list above? What suggestions do you have that are not included above? Help us further populate this list and later lists as well!

One for the University: Is Playing Rugby Worth the Risk?

While many rugby players start at a young age, there is no rule that says you cannot start later in your life. Today, we will be discussing if playing Rugby in college is worth the risk. Yes, the fact of life remains that this sport does come with a significant amount of risk.

Despite all well-meaning attempts, Rugby is still a contact sport and so it is inevitable that some scrapes or bruises can occur. However, those that attend university should not let this deter them. Let us approach the discourse with a pro and con take.

Pros

Rugby will help you get healthy

Rugby is a strenuous physical activity. All the running, dodging, ducking, and weaving will tone your arms, legs, and will provide you with much needed time in an open field. Studies have often locked students away in cloistered halls and rooms with their noses stuck in a book or more commonly, a gadget.

Most university students often lead unhealthy lifestyles with their late nights, fast food, and parties. We may be throwing a rather wide net description here but we are basing it off our own personal experiences. Several of us go to experience rugby in university and it helped turns things around in the health department.

Less and less university students are getting the exercise that they need. Rugby is a good way to get healthy!

Rugby can be cathartic

University can be truly stressful. It is a time that is spent away from home. Depending on where you went to college, you can be miles away from old friends and loved ones. The course load can be pressing and there is so much that can ultimately press upon a college student’s mind.

Rugby can be a really cathartic way to release stress. What you need to remember is that the sport of rugby is a contact sport. If you had ever seen Mean Girls where Regina George channeled all her aggression into sports—rugby can do that for you.

Contact sport is a good way to relieving stress and acting out aggression in a healthy way. While we are not saying that you should actively seek out contact sports merely to hurt people but therapists will suggest that you find a healthy outlet for stress and any anger you might be feeling.

Rugby opens up your social circles

Rugby can open up your world in ways that you may not expect it to. As a team sport, you will be taken out of your comfort zone and made to associate with other people in your team. This is a great time to build your network for events that goes on outside of the sport.

You never know that the person who is tossing the ball to you can help you with your thesis. There is nothing quite like bonding over strategy and game stories.

Being on the school team means potential scholarships

There is no secret that college is expensive. This is why we try hard to cut costs and make sure that we find ways to lower the costs further. Being part of the school’s team can mean potential scholarships and grants for yourself and your team.

Of course, this can mean that you will have to worry less about the final cost of your education. Also, depending on the college that you go to, there is no need to come out of pocket for supplies and uniforms as they will be suitably provided for you.

Once in a Lifetime Experiences

There are certain things that you get to experience as a rugby player that you otherwise will not be able to experience somewhere else. Team sports and the like offer unique experiences that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

If your school is not exactly well-funded, there will be the experience of going on school drives to help fund your sports team. These are once in a lifetime experiences that can certainly contribute to your growing character.

Cons

Time Consuming

When you have a LOT of things to do in your course, it might be a little bit more than you can handle. Team sports will require commitment. School sports and being part of a school team will entail matches with other schools from time to time. In preparation for this, there will be prolonged practice sessions and extended trainings.

If you cannot commit, it would be best to stay away from Rugby.

Risk of Injuries

As with any contact sport, you will come to expect some degree of injury to go with the territory. Even if you do try to play safe, there is always the risk of serious injury like broken bones and fractures. If you are not willing to risk any injuries, it would be in your best interest to stay away from a contact sport like rugby.

Additional Grade Requirements

When you are on the school team, most educational institutions require their athletes to a higher standard. As such, they are expected to have grades that are better than most. This can cause additional strain on an already stressed person.

If you feel like your plate is already full, it would be wise for you to stay away from rugby.

In Conclusion

Taking into consideration the risks and even the benefits that one can gain from playing Rugby; our ultimate answer would have to be a big resounding YES. If you still doubt whether or not the risk is worth it, we truly suggest that you watch a match and give it a try. You may end up surprising yourself with what you see with your own eyes.

Always remember that experience is the best teacher. If you give it a try and you still do not think it is worth it, you can still pat yourself on the back! You had the courage to try something new and that in itself is already a great achievement! So what do YOU think: is rugby in college worth the risk?

Beyond the Glamour: Looking Back Upon the 2016 Rugby Championship

Brought to the world by SANZAAR, the 2016 Rugby Championship saw quite a few changes from last year’s game. Today, let us take a closer look back upon the 2016 Championship and its ups and downs. While there was some question as to why an event with only four countries was considered a “championship”—that would be like asking: why is there a “Miss Universe” pageant when only people from Earth participate.

The reason does not really matter. All that does matter is that there is suitable representation for the sport. The countries involved in the 2016 championship were New Zealand (the public favorite), Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. This was the first time that the championship was held in a ‘neutral’ host such as Argentina.

If you followed it carefully, the games ran from August 20th to October 8th. What we particularly found exciting about the 2016 championship was the fact that the games had restored its 6 round formatting instead of the previous 3 rounds. This time the matches would be longer and fans would be able to see more of their heroes.

There was much anticipation whether or not Australia would be able to keep the title or would the favorites (the All Blacks) would be able to snatch the title.

Matches

The first round saw several incredible matches.

Australia versus New Zealand

The match was held at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The result was Australia with a final score of 8 while New Zealand held a score of 42. Quite a large number, indeed! The MotM (Man of the Match) was New Zealand’s Beauden Barret.

South Africa versus Argentina

This match was held in the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. It was a rather to and fro match for a while before South Africa blew past Argentina’s good defenses and scored 30 while Argentina lagged behind with 23. The MotM was South Africa’s Faf de Klerk.

The second round saw some attempted reversals!

Australia versus New Zealand

On the 27th of August, the 2nd round of this match was held in Westpac Stadium in Wellington. There were many that were hoping that Australia was going to take charge of the game and recover from the overwhelming loss of the first round.

The final score was 29 for New Zealand and 9 for Australia. Quite a disappointing score for Australia! The MotM was New Zealand’s Israel Dagg who played as RW for this game.

South Africa versus Argentina

Things were certainly heating up with this fight! Argentina suffered quite a bit from the first match. In a surprising turn of events, they won the 2nd round with 26 points while South Africa was close behind with 24 points.

Loud cheers resounded in Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Saita. The Man of the Match was Argentina’s Facundo Isa.

The third match saw Argentina face the solid majesty of the All Blacks.

New Zealand versus Argentina

The Waikato Stadium in Hamilton was reportedly a bit of an uncomfortable place to be at if you were a supporter of Argentina. The New Zealand team won with a high score of 57 while Argentina was beaten to a pulp with a score of 22.

New Zealand’s Julian Savea was named the Man of the Match.

Australia versus South Africa

A tad more exciting over the thrashing that had occurred over the NZ versus Argentina match, Australia and South Africa went into a back and forth before one triumphed over the other. The Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane was happy to declare that Australia won with the score of 23 over South Africa’s 17 points.

Australia’s Michael Hooper was named the man of the match.

The fourth match

New Zealand versus South Africa

The AMI Stadium in Christchurch must have been a tad uncomfortable to see New Zealand soundly triumphed over South Africa with the final score of 41 to South Africa’s 13.

New Zealand’s Dane Coles was named MotM.

Australia versus Argentina

Australia once again proved their dominance with the score of 36 while Argentina gave it a good try with 20 points. This fight allowed Australia to retain their Puma trophy.

The fifth match saw a massive upset by South Africa

South Africa versus Australia

South Africa managed to power through the Australian powerhouses and bagged a score of 18 while Australia’s progress was halted at 10.

Argentina versus New Zealand

It seems that there was no stopping New Zealand no matter what. NZ triumphed once again with a score of 36. Argentina had the score of 17.

The sixth round merely put the final emphasis on New Zealand’s triumphant run.

South Africa versus New Zealand

With the final score of 15 to South Africa and 57 to New Zealand, there was no doubt left in anyone’s mind that NZ was going home with the title.

Argentina versus Australia

Australia regained their senses and won the match with the score of 33. With this win, Australia’s Samu Kerevi was named the man of the match.

Final Standings

New Zealand took first place with a 6 wins and 0 losses. Australia bagged second place at 3 wins and 0 losses. South Africa was at the 3rd place with a 2 wins and 4 losses. Finally, Argentina was at last place with 1 win and 5 losses.

All in all, it was a thoroughly entertaining sports event. New Zealand, the favorite, dominated the entire championship event. Australia, while at second place, did make a show of force. While they did not retain their title, they can go home with their heads held high.

In Conclusion

The 2016 Championship saw the return of the title to New Zealand and it also Australia retaining a couple of their titles as well. As it goes to show, rugby is a sport where you cannot completely determine who the winner is based on past performances and fan favorites.

As the 2016 championship was a pretty big success, there is no doubt in our minds that the 2017 Rugby Championship is also something to look forward to! What was your favorite memory regarding the 2016 championship? What team did you root for?

Player Woes: The 5 Biggest Mistakes New Rugby Players Make

Playing Rugby is a pretty rewarding thing—that is, if you do it properly. As more and more people are joining the world of rugby, we feel that it is important that we discuss the biggest mistakes that new players make.

As there is always the promise of a great future for athletes, more and more people—especially young folks—are trying their hardest to break into different sport industries. Rugby is one of those industries. A game with quite an age to it, it continues to enthrall people and inspire new generation to join the fold. If you are one such person, it would important to arm yourself with the necessary information to help avoid making the biggest mistakes that new player often find themselves making.

Here they are:

Not Understanding Physical Limits

The game of rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports that humanity has devised. It requires a lot of motor skills and coordination. It also requires stamina—a significant amount of it. As such, it is normal for aspiring rugby players to be wholly invested into improving their physical abilities.

This calls for prolonged physical training and specialized camps. This also calls for strict diets and stricter daily schedules.

As a consequence, there are a lot of people out there—especially new rugby players—that overestimate what their bodies can handle. Before they end up playing the game, they end up fatigued and injured. Physical limits are a very real fact of life. It is important to predetermine what a person can do and they cannot.

It would be simple folly to push the limits of one’s endurance past their limit on a regular basis. Those that truly aspire to be professional athletes will not make this mistake.

Not Including Mental Preparation as Part of the Training

Mental fortitude is just as important as physical capability when it comes to playing sports. The best athletes in the world are not considered the best simply because of their physical performances. They are the best because their mental prowess

It is their ability to make critical decisions in often precarious situations. It is their capability to see a task through to the end regardless of how it may be blatantly obvious that they are in a disadvantage. Ultimately, it is also their capability to rise above perceived and experienced failure.

A lot of the new athletes only focus on winning. As such, when they experience loss, they are unable to successfully cope. This is a mistake that a lot of new athletes end up doing.

Get Caught Up With Their Build

While rugby is a sport that is often dominated by large bodies, this does not mean that only the large will have a future in this field. There is an alarming trend wherein a lot of budding rugby players that end up obsessing over their build.

What a lot of do not realize is that there is more than one way to play rugby. It is not just about the size that counts. It is also the speed. It is rare to find those that combine heft and speed—that is predominantly why it is silly for athletes to obsess over the size that the presently have.

Instead of granting a better opportunity for other talents to develop that can serve their team well, they end up blocking avenues for well-rounded growth. Just because you are not a certain size does not mean that you are not suited for the sport of rugby. What is important is that you work with what you have in a way that benefits not just the team you want to play for but you personally.

Sacrificing Fun

A lot of newer athletes seem like they were pre-programmed machines. They are all about efficiency and results that they forget that there is more to rugby than just winning or landing contract deals. A sport, in its very core, is a social activity that is meant to entertain and is meant to be enjoyed.

A lot of new athletes forget that fun is an intrinsic part of the game.

This is actually one of the saddest mistakes that new players make. Remember the first time you fell in love with rugby? That feeling is something that should be sustained and used to drive you further into making yourself a better player.

No Work/Life Balance

While you would think that this particular mistake is only made by those in the business industry, you would be surprised. Preparing yourself for sports is actually considered as work. When you are trying to play well enough to make it into a rugby team, the time it takes for practice and training can translate to work hours.

The dedication coupled along with the mental and physical strain that it takes is comparable to what regular employees can face on a regular basis. This is why it is crucial that there is proper balance between the work put into improving rugby game performance and the other facets of a life.

Suitable balance can actually help boost the performance of an athlete. Too much work can actually dull reflexes and blind the athlete to the weaknesses of their style and strategy.

In Conclusion

The world of rugby will certainly benefit from a whole new generation of players. However, it will wholly depend on the kind of players that it will get that will determine its continued longevity and success. More and more players need to be able to take proper responsibility for their health and their wellness. After all, stellar games need healthy players. While these mistakes are big, they CAN be corrected. All it needs suitable will and discipline.

In order to have healthy players, it would be important to avoid the mistakes we have listed above. Give the list one more go around and cross reference it with your own play style or the style of someone you know. What mistakes are present and what can be changed for the better?

Legends of the Sport: Looking at the New Zealand All Blacks

Everyone has their own favorite rugby union team. That much is expected. In order to give our readers a great idea of some teams, we will be doing article profiles on them. Today, we will start with the New Zealand All Blacks!

If you were to ask anyone who does not follow rugby about any team that they know, chances are they are going to give the New Zealand All Blacks as a reply. More likely, they will start describing the “team that does that weird chant thing”. While that is one way to describe the All Blacks, it will be important to really know the details about them.

That is what we hope to accomplish with this article. Let’s get started!

History

Origins

It was in 1870 that the sport of rugby was brought to New Zealand by Charles Monro. Monro had spent some time in England and picked up the sport from there. It was later that year that the first ever game of rugby was recorded. The spread was slow in coming but it eventually picked up steam and around nine years later, the first ever rugby union in New Zealand was born.

It was in 1882 when the first international match of New Zealand occurred. This was when the rugby team of New South Wales came to the country for their tour. What was odd about this was the fact that there was no single representative team for New Zealand. What had happened was there were several provincial teams that fought New South Wales in different matches.

The idea of a single international team was being thrown around but only crystallized around 1892. It was not until the year after that the first official team managed to make a tour where they managed to win at 9 out of their 10 bouts.

If you were wondering when the name “All Blacks” came about, so were we! While there was a team that was going around and joining international bouts, they were not called the All Blacks. Instead, they were called Originals. While there was some question as to where their name originated, it was clear that by the time they were doing their tours, they were referred to as Blacks or All Blacks.

They went on to continue making a name for themselves in the future tours they made in South Africa. In 1924 they were called “The Invincibles” as they won match after match. What was sad about this is that the final team that they were supposed to fight refused to play over the grounds that the organizer was not the IRFB.

Struggle

The All Blacks had it rough as an international rugby team. While they were a dominant force on the field, it was the discrimination and the politics that went on behind the scenes that impeded a majority of their tours in the early 1900s. A lot of the South African bodies had literally demanded that Maori players (which are what the All Blacks are primarily comprised of) should be excluded from joining their national team.

This is like asking an all-meat menu restaurant to not serve you any steaks come dinner time. The All Blacks had tours in South Africa around 1976. The trouble with this was that the Apartheid was in complete control and refused to recognize the All Blacks as a legitimate team as they were not comprised of White players.

While the All Blacks were still winning their matches, every match was marred with violence and protests. There were strong calls to deport the All Blacks or even throw them in jail for the simple fact that they had the gall to play a game that was “meant” for white people.

International Triumphs

As the All Blacks were indeed comprised of physically dominant athletes, it was little wonder that they won the World Cup held on 1987. However, they struggled with the strategic form of their play styles. While they were physically imposing, they lacked the ability to make smart plays. As such, they had several seasons where they almost won or had wins only to lose in the end.

It was the appointment of Graham Henry as the coach of New Zealand that the massive victories started to pour in. They managed to secure a back to back win in the World Cup of ’03 and ’04. Everyone thought that they would keep their winning trend. However, as the way life goes, they did not. The All Blacks were consistently a favorite by the international fans.

In 2011, Henry was replaced by Steve Hansen. Hansen was once the assistant coach of the All Blacks. Under his tutelage, the All Blacks went through much of 2012 as an unbeaten team until they fought England. In the following year, the All Blacks were successful in obtaining the championship. They are arguably known to be the first national team to ever obtain a 100% win rate for a whole year.

While they disappointed at the 2015 Rugby Championship with their runner-up position, they did dominate in the World Cup. This win would mean that they had managed to secure the Rugby World Cup for the third time in their career history.

In the year of 2016, they finally won the Rugby Championship but did not do so well in the World Cup. It has been quite a journey for the All Blacks and they are still going to continue with their dominating presence in the field.

In Conclusion

The NZ All Blacks continue to be well-known around the world even to those who do not actually follow the sport. The All Blacks continue to inspire and intimidate people all over the world with their massive physiques and intense nationalistic pride in their culture.

We hope that they will continue to inspire and intrigue people. This will certainly end up stimulating the spark of more rugby fans the world over! What do you guys think of the New Zealand All Blacks?

Trivia Time! Five Fun Facts You Don’t Know About Rugby

Discovering new things is always a fun activity! This is truer when it comes to things that you love. Even with something old like rugby, there are still new things you may not know about. Today, we shall be taking a look at around 5 fun facts that may not be commonly known about Rugby!

Without further ado, here we go:

1.) No one can agree on who started Rugby

While the popular notion was that William Webb Ellis brought about the concept of Rugby by running a certain way, there is no actual anecdotal evidence to support it. If you go to the place where Ellis was believed to have gone to school, you will find a plethora of oral accounts of the popularly shared story.

The story goes that Ellis simply managed to catch the ball, cradled it within both arms, and started to run toward the enemy’s goal. It was something that was not actually allowed by the rules of football. However—if the tale was to be believed—there was a majority of players that preferred this method.

While that would have been fine, historians are quick to throw doubt on that story. As there is still very little evidence to go on regarding the validity of the claim, historians utterly refuse to consider the Ellis account as THE definitive origin for rugby.

2.) Pigs donated a lot to rugby

The actual ball of football was often called as the pig’s skin. This was due to the fact that a literal pig’s skin was what the earliest incarnations of the ball were made of. While rugby was derivative of football, it was not long until those that played rugby wanted to set their sport apart from the supposed source.

The very first rugby balls were actually made of pig’s bladders. They were shaped like plums and were dried and blown with air in order to keep its shape. Production was also quite risky back then. Hygiene was not always thought of when developing the balls.

As it was common practice to manually blow air into the rugby balls that were not wholly cleaned so many of the workers fell ill and even died shortly after. Many a life was sacrificed so that early rugby players had the equipment they needed.

3.) Rugby originated the tradition of national anthems as sporting events

In international matches, both team’s national anthems would be played before the start of the match. Depending on the team that wins, their national anthem would also be played during the awarding ceremony. At least, that is what we have come to expect for modern matches. Things did not used to be that way, however.

Back in the day, it was not at all expected for teams to showcase their anthems. There was only one team in particular that made a show of their nationalistic representation: The New Zealand rugby team. It was part of their cultural heritage to do a taunting chant called the Haka. This was their traditional battle cry and was quite distinctly Maori.

It was not until a Welsh rugby team started to sing their national anthem in response to the Haka that the concept stuck. Because it was so particularly stirring and very symbolic of whom they were fighting for, more and more teams started to sing their national anthems before matches.

Of course, if you ask the Americans they will tell you that the tradition of singing national anthems was because of THEIR national pastime. Rather common place, we suspect.

4.) Every Rugby World Cup has been started using the same whistle

This little factoid is one of our personal favorites! When you tune into any rugby world cup match, you can come to expect a whistle to start the match. What is lovely is the fact of the matter is that whistle is also the very whistle that was used in the first ever rugby world cup.

It is a lovely form of keeping the past alive and it is an effective way of showing respect to the age of the sport. What is disappointing is that in 2015, for some reason the governing body of rugby did not think it was appropriate to make use of the whistle. He called it “another break from tradition”.

This strikes us as odd as the usual tradition breaks were from the derivative nature of rugby from its source sport: football. We certainly do not know what that guy is thinking and we are all hoping that the old whistle is used in future international events once again.

5.) A rugby coach invented basketball

One of the best things about sports is that those involved in it will eventually end up sparking something new. In 1891, a rugby coach by the name of James Naismith was busy thinking of a way to keep his athletes in peak physical form even during the winter months.

You see, rugby was an outdoor sport and it simply did not do to expose athletes to such harsh conditions. So Naismith devised a plan to do an indoor exercise that would keep his players lean and in top running condition. He also had to make sure that they were in no imminent danger that would keep them out of the game when the seasons turned.

He still wanted it to be a ball-centric activity in order to keep the team’s coordination sharp. He took all of those elements together and ended up created basketball—one of the first indoor team sports to be made.

While there are those that say that basketball has overtaken rugby’s popularity all over the world, it does not really matter to most rugby lovers. All we simply have to say to that is: you are quite welcome, basketball fans!

In Conclusion

There is something you can learn everyday. Hopefully, the details that we shared above add toward your further appreciation for the sport. If there are any other factoids or fun facts that you would like to be published, give us a call and we’ll get started on a new article right away!

Starting Them Young: Massive Benefits Children Gain Through Rugby

If you have ever thought of signing up a youngster for the game of Rugby, you had best be prepared. Rugby has so much to offer young players and we are not just talking about health. Tune in to see the other massive benefits they can gain. Rugby is a sport that had enjoyed quite a lifespan to it.

Back in the day, it was almost only guaranteed that the sons of nobility would be allowed to even learn the game. It was once thought that any game that diverted the masses from their tasks and labor was bad. It is a good thing then that we no longer live in those times. What we have now is a great freedom that should be enjoyed!

Benefits

While Rugby has certainly had a reputation of being a tough sport which can result in injuries, the same can be said for pretty much every sport out there. Also, the benefits greatly outnumber the possible risks. If you need a bit more convincing, here are some of the massive benefits that children can gain from Rugby:

Physical Exercise

As any doctor will tell you, physical activity should be made a regular part of anyone’s life. There has been quite a call for more children to be more active in their daily life. The gadget revolution coupled with unhealthy eating has certain done a number on the youth.

Now, more than ever, the number of children that suffers from obesity is dangerously high. Rugby offers the chance for young kids to spend time away from their gadgets and sedentary lifestyles. Rugby is a physically challenging sport. There is a lot of running involved, after all. The game itself is played on a field that is about 122 x 68 meters.

Other than running, there is tossing involved. These can also help improve the child’s motor skills in the long run. If the child consistently plays Rugby, they will be in better physical fitness than most youngsters their age that do not engage in sports.

Mental Exercise

Other than the physical benefits that come with the game, the mind is given quite a workout as well. When playing rugby, there is a significant part that is all about strategy. Have you run far enough? Which direction should you go? Who should you pass the ball to? How can you avoid the best player of the opposite team?

There are so many questions that will race through the mind of a rugby player. The ones above are only a few examples of them. When you are part of a team sport, fast and critical thinking is necessary. Every person counts and should be able to make split-second decisions that can help contribute to their team’s performance.

Playing rugby will help stimulate a child’s mental capability and bring forth opportunities for other mental exercises like strategic planning.

Social Interactions

We have expressed that rugby is a team sport. This means that a child will be able granted sufficient opportunity to mingle with others who are around the same age and some who can even be older than they are. This can prove to be a rather educational experience for a lot of youngsters.

Social graces are something that can be taught BUT the kids needs to practice it in order to get the hang out it. Friendships that are usually forged through team sports like rugby end up lasting lifetimes. Often, the friendship even transcends and can pass on to their children.

Children can also learn how to be good sports in the face of defeat. This is something that they can reap the benefits of no matter how old they get. Being graceful at the face of loss is increasingly becoming a lost art of sorts. The newer generations are often subjected to ‘participation’ prizes.

If you are not familiar with the concept of that, it refers to the thing that is handed out to all participants simply because they showed up to the game. The end result is that we end up raising generations of kids that feel they are entitled to a prize simply because they exist.

Rugby will teach them that there are times where you will win and there will times that you will lose. Learning how to accept this fact is something that can go a long way in the lives of kids.

Scholarships and Eventual Employment

When kids play rugby and are good at it, they can get scholarships. The cost of education is only going upward and every little bit of help makes a world of difference. Athletic scholarships are something that young rugby players can aim to achieve.

Having goals is one of the ways to improve, after all. Scholarships can eventually turn into professional careers later on in life. Many of the best players in the international scene have played the game since they were kids. It is experience that you cannot replace nor buy. The sheer amount of experience that they can accumulate when they start young is something that professional teams look for.

The younger they have a start at the game, the better opportunities they will have on signing with a professional team later on in their lives. Not bad for something that you used to play every weekend, right?

In Conclusion

Rugby is certainly a sport that you should be looking into for your child. If you do not have one, try to see if there is a local league in your area and throw in your support. You can show your support through donations and if you have other skills that they may need, you can throw those in the ring as well. We hope that you do not feel like you are being pressured into helping out.

Remember that whatever you do decide to give, make sure that you do it with an open mind and an even wider heart. What would be important is to provide a good and competitive chance for young athletes in your area to enjoy the massive benefits of Rugby!

Let’s Open Up the Books: the History of the Sport of Rugby

All distinguished things have a history. There is always great virtue in learning about the origins of things. Today, we will be looking back at the history of the sport of Rugby.

When you ask a rugby enthusiast about the beginnings of the sport, they will probably only tell you the beginnings of their favorite team. Another common occurrence is that they will ask you if you are referring to the beginnings of league or union (they are quite different after all).

For the sake of a well-rounded look at history, we will be looking at the overall history of the sport. We will be tracing back where the divide between the union and the league occurred and why. We hope that you will take away new information and lessons from this discussion.

The History

For all intents and purposes, it is generally believed that the concept of Rugby was invented around 1823. They credit a boy named William Webb Ellis for the concept of rugby when they had seen him carry the ball in both arms. This was quite different; quite different from just one arm (like you would come to expect in the game of Football). While there is not enough tangible evidence—in record form and whatnot—to support the claim, Ellis is still the figurehead that is linked to rugby.

While football was already around during that time, there was a section of people that wanted to try something derivative but had a spirit of its own. As such, there was a spike in the interest regarding ball games. However, as it was deemed to be disruptive, unproductive, and often dangerous (from the lack of safety gear)—there was also a movement wherein such games were banned.

The reason why Ellis’ actions were considered to be the start of rugby was because at the time, it was not allowed to run toward the opposite team’s goal with the ball cradled in both arms. You can expect that this was met which quite violent reactions. The reason why this was not banned outright was because there were players that felt that was better in terms of safety and stability.

It was not until 1845 that the action of being able to run toward the opposition’s goal with the ball in the arms was written into the rules and bylaws of the game. Despite this, both rugby and football for the common people were being met with bans. It was only the sons of the nobility or the financially well off families that were allowed to participate in the sport.

These were mostly done in schools and universities where it found a lot of support. For a while, there was a bit of debate on what came first: Union or League. However, a bit of a dig into the history of rugby would definitely tell you that they actually started at the same time. When there was more support going around for rugby as a separate sport from Football, different teams had started to form.

From then, in was in 1871 were the different teams got together and formed the very first Rugby Football Union. Around twenty years later, there were some serious charges that were laid against several members of the union. It seemed that there was some unsportsmanlike conduct going around wherein players were getting paid to NOT show up in their respective games.

While it was initially proposed that these players should be fined, a majority of the members of the Union has voted against it. As such, cracks were beginning to form between certain teams. Eventually these cracks grew bigger and it was determined that it would be better off if different authoritative bodies were formed.

From there, the Rugby Union and the Rugby League developed. What struck people as odd during the time was the fact that the teams of each governing body still played the same game. It was not until much later that they started to change their rules and the game play.

The rugby that we know of today has very distinct styles and rules when you either play in the league or in the union. Each does carry its own charm. While they do still have a bit of similarities like penalties and drop goals, there is enough of a difference for any beginner to pick up on them.

Why is it Important to Learn History?

History used to be the most boring thing in school—at least, for most of us it was. Where was the fun in having to read about past accomplishments and events? As it turns out, the older you get, the more you get to appreciate how things came to be. Particularly, if they were the things that you really like!

We have mentioned that we will be touching upon the history of rugby. Now the question is: why is it important to learn about the history of rugby?

In our years of being rugby enthusiasts, we have discovered that there were so many things about the game that had a deeper meaning than we had originally thought. Understanding the history behind the shifts in rules or how the game is played can offer a deeper appreciation to what we have now. It is also a good way to determine what shifts are needed in the future.

In Conclusion

Rugby, as a pastime and as a sport, will not be going away any time soon. After the journey that it has had through the centuries, rugby will continue to capture the interest and admiration of many. We certainly learned a lot through this exercise and we hope that you guys did too! What tidbit about rugby history did you discover from today’s discussion? Was there something that we missed out on?

If we missed out or made errors, let us know so we can tweak this! We are always open to receiving feedback so we can better serve our readers. Until then, we hope you thoroughly enjoyed this discussion.

Rugby is a game that requires some core skills and competencies in order to effectively be done. Join us as we discuss what these core skills and competencies are. Rugby has survived this long due to the fact that it constantly evolves and improves itself. What are “core skills”? These refer to the techniques and actions that deemed completely vital to the sport. It may not seem like much but it is important to the overall application of the game. These go beyond the physical attributes that seem to dominate…

Volunteering is a great way to change the lives of those around you. There are so many ways that volunteering can affect positive change in a community. Today, we will be discussing volunteering for Rugby. Rugby is a team sport. As such, it usually takes a whole community to help a team reach its goal. However, there are instances wherein certain communities cannot lend a hand to their local rugby team even if they wanted to. This is where volunteers come in to save the day! There is nothing quite…

Everyone loves going to the movies! It is a great way to broaden horizons while never leaving the comfort of your home. Today, we will be listing out our choices for the best films that effectively showcase the sport of Rugby. Why is Film Representation Important? Rugby, as a sport, is not as internationally popular as basketball or baseball. While some teams may have followers and have the capacity to go viral because their cultural traditions (we are of course referring to the All Blacks), in general there is still…

While many rugby players start at a young age, there is no rule that says you cannot start later in your life. Today, we will be discussing if playing Rugby in college is worth the risk. Yes, the fact of life remains that this sport does come with a significant amount of risk. Despite all well-meaning attempts, Rugby is still a contact sport and so it is inevitable that some scrapes or bruises can occur. However, those that attend university should not let this deter them. Let us approach the…

Brought to the world by SANZAAR, the 2016 Rugby Championship saw quite a few changes from last year’s game. Today, let us take a closer look back upon the 2016 Championship and its ups and downs. While there was some question as to why an event with only four countries was considered a “championship”—that would be like asking: why is there a “Miss Universe” pageant when only people from Earth participate. The reason does not really matter. All that does matter is that there is suitable representation for the sport.…

Playing Rugby is a pretty rewarding thing—that is, if you do it properly. As more and more people are joining the world of rugby, we feel that it is important that we discuss the biggest mistakes that new players make. As there is always the promise of a great future for athletes, more and more people—especially young folks—are trying their hardest to break into different sport industries. Rugby is one of those industries. A game with quite an age to it, it continues to enthrall people and inspire new generation…

Everyone has their own favorite rugby union team. That much is expected. In order to give our readers a great idea of some teams, we will be doing article profiles on them. Today, we will start with the New Zealand All Blacks! If you were to ask anyone who does not follow rugby about any team that they know, chances are they are going to give the New Zealand All Blacks as a reply. More likely, they will start describing the “team that does that weird chant thing”. While that…

Discovering new things is always a fun activity! This is truer when it comes to things that you love. Even with something old like rugby, there are still new things you may not know about. Today, we shall be taking a look at around 5 fun facts that may not be commonly known about Rugby! Without further ado, here we go: 1.) No one can agree on who started Rugby While the popular notion was that William Webb Ellis brought about the concept of Rugby by running a certain way,…

If you have ever thought of signing up a youngster for the game of Rugby, you had best be prepared. Rugby has so much to offer young players and we are not just talking about health. Tune in to see the other massive benefits they can gain. Rugby is a sport that had enjoyed quite a lifespan to it. Back in the day, it was almost only guaranteed that the sons of nobility would be allowed to even learn the game. It was once thought that any game that diverted…

All distinguished things have a history. There is always great virtue in learning about the origins of things. Today, we will be looking back at the history of the sport of Rugby. When you ask a rugby enthusiast about the beginnings of the sport, they will probably only tell you the beginnings of their favorite team. Another common occurrence is that they will ask you if you are referring to the beginnings of league or union (they are quite different after all). For the sake of a well-rounded look at…